Conditions

Definition

Alternative Names

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

In the first several weeks after the egg is fertilized, the embryo develops early sex organs. In the male, if the early testes fail to develop before 8 weeks into the pregnancy, the baby will have female genitals.

If the testes are lost between 8 and 10 weeks, the baby will be born with ambiguous genitalia. This means the child will have parts of both male and female genitals.

However, if the testes are lost after the time when the male genitals differentiate (between 12 and 14 weeks), the baby will have normal male genitals (penis and scrotum), but no testes. This is known as congenital anorchia, or the “vanishing testes syndrome.”

The cause is unknown, but in some cases there are genetic factors.

Symptoms

Normal outside genitals before puberty

Failure to start puberty at the correct time and lack of secondary sex characteristics (penis and pubic hair growth, deepening of the voice, and increase in muscle mass)

Signs and tests

Signs include:

Empty scrotum

Lack of secondary sex characteristics

Tests include:

Anti-Mullerian hormone levels

Bone density

FSH and LH levels

Surgery to look for male reproductive tissue

Testosterone levels (low)

Ultrasound or MRI

X,Y karyotype

Treatment

Treatment includes:

Artificial (prosthetic) testicle implants

Male hormones (androgens)

Psychological support

Expectations (prognosis)

The outlook is good with treatment.

Complications

Complications include:

Face, neck, or back abnormalities (occasionally)

Infertility

Psychological problems due to gender

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if your male child appears to have extremely small or absent testicles or does not appear to be entering puberty during his early teens.